I bought the stainless steel Apple watch. After one full day of use, I've come to the conclusion it's essentially a beta product. I like it overall and I think it'll be awesome when it's done, maybe in the fall/winter or with version 2.
Why do I call it a beta? Because betas are incomplete products that typically lack key or essential functionality (due to being works in progress). Apple Watch has a few such omissions:
1. Can't change months in calendar app. Who makes a calendar app that doesn't let you view any months except the one you're in? Apple apparently. Clearly, the calendar app needs improvement. Maybe next year they'll tout "view any month you want" as a key feature.
2. Can't control podcast app. Music controls work great, but no podcast controls exist for Apples own app. If you're a podcast listener you'll need a 3rd party app. The downside is with a 3rd party app you won't be able to use Siri to control it (for now).
3. Can't reply to emails. This is luckily getting fixed in watchOS 2, where they do indeed tout replying to emails as an innovative feature. How a company releases an email client without reply functionality is mind boggling. But at least it's coming!
While those are some omissions here are a few other problems that I feel make this more of a beta product or one not quite ready for mass market.
1. Battery life. After 12 hours of use I'm down to 7%. It wasn't super heavy use. I did walk a lot and that puts the sensors on. But Apple only gives you two choices: use sensors every minute during exercise or never at all. How about reduced power mode where it does it from time to time? Would be more reasonable.
At this time I feel with the battery life that I would hate to RELY on the watch. It really needs about 25% to 30% more. This is huge. And I'm not saying it shouldn't be charged nightly, but one shouldn't have to think about the battery life and actively manage it. It should be making my life easier not giving me another thing to worry about.
Also, the watch should be helping me save my phone battery. Right now I feel my phone drained as much if not more so while tethered.
2. Lack of Waterproofing. I know some people take them for a swim already but it's officially not supported or encouraged. Apple really needs to make sure that next gen hardware is waterproof. Being able to do useful things in the pool will be amazing for swimmers. I could see myself using it to play music/podcasts with waterproof Bluetooth headphones and of course measuring and logging the exercise going on.
3. Disorganized. It seems like there's all kinds of panes, menus, and options to be accessed. There's no app for taking your pulse but there's a pane in a glance, for example. It makes you wonder what's where. Not intuitive at all.
There's also no hints or "design language" anywhere. Some things have forced touch and some don't, some things are scrollable with the crown some aren't. There's no clues or indications when any of those might be available and no rhyme or reason why one method is used versus the other.
An iPhone was a device I could give to my parents and with a short time they got a hang of it. Things make sense there. At least the essentials they'd ever want to use do. I feel the watch is a product I could never give to my parents. They might end up calling me asking me how to check the time!
That's not to say Apple got it all wrong. Some things are amazing about the watch. Namely:
1. Finally no longer missing notifications while my phone is in my pocket or charging in another room. This ALONE is worth the price of admission to me. I would bet it'd be worth it to anyone else who relies on their phone for their business.
2. Look and feel is gorgeous. It can make you look sharp. Unlike other smart watches, this is one I'd have no shame wearing to a black tie event.
3. Siri is amazing on the watch. They need it's level of accuracy everywhere. I can't get over how well it works in this device. Bravo!
Conclusion
While a promising product, the Apple watch in its current form leaves a lot to be desired. My watch will most likely be going back in a week or so within the return period.
I'll consider rebuying in the fall/winter once watch OS 2 comes out and some killer 3rd party apps make their way.... Especially when refurbs become available at lower prices. This is because most of the issues or shortcomings are software.
Or I might just wait until Watch 2 next spring, which hopefully addresses some of the hardware issues.
If there's anything I haven't considered or killer apps or use cases you feel I should consider or try, please let me know!
I hope this review is helpful for those on the fence.
Why do I call it a beta? Because betas are incomplete products that typically lack key or essential functionality (due to being works in progress). Apple Watch has a few such omissions:
1. Can't change months in calendar app. Who makes a calendar app that doesn't let you view any months except the one you're in? Apple apparently. Clearly, the calendar app needs improvement. Maybe next year they'll tout "view any month you want" as a key feature.
2. Can't control podcast app. Music controls work great, but no podcast controls exist for Apples own app. If you're a podcast listener you'll need a 3rd party app. The downside is with a 3rd party app you won't be able to use Siri to control it (for now).
3. Can't reply to emails. This is luckily getting fixed in watchOS 2, where they do indeed tout replying to emails as an innovative feature. How a company releases an email client without reply functionality is mind boggling. But at least it's coming!
While those are some omissions here are a few other problems that I feel make this more of a beta product or one not quite ready for mass market.
1. Battery life. After 12 hours of use I'm down to 7%. It wasn't super heavy use. I did walk a lot and that puts the sensors on. But Apple only gives you two choices: use sensors every minute during exercise or never at all. How about reduced power mode where it does it from time to time? Would be more reasonable.
At this time I feel with the battery life that I would hate to RELY on the watch. It really needs about 25% to 30% more. This is huge. And I'm not saying it shouldn't be charged nightly, but one shouldn't have to think about the battery life and actively manage it. It should be making my life easier not giving me another thing to worry about.
Also, the watch should be helping me save my phone battery. Right now I feel my phone drained as much if not more so while tethered.
2. Lack of Waterproofing. I know some people take them for a swim already but it's officially not supported or encouraged. Apple really needs to make sure that next gen hardware is waterproof. Being able to do useful things in the pool will be amazing for swimmers. I could see myself using it to play music/podcasts with waterproof Bluetooth headphones and of course measuring and logging the exercise going on.
3. Disorganized. It seems like there's all kinds of panes, menus, and options to be accessed. There's no app for taking your pulse but there's a pane in a glance, for example. It makes you wonder what's where. Not intuitive at all.
There's also no hints or "design language" anywhere. Some things have forced touch and some don't, some things are scrollable with the crown some aren't. There's no clues or indications when any of those might be available and no rhyme or reason why one method is used versus the other.
An iPhone was a device I could give to my parents and with a short time they got a hang of it. Things make sense there. At least the essentials they'd ever want to use do. I feel the watch is a product I could never give to my parents. They might end up calling me asking me how to check the time!
That's not to say Apple got it all wrong. Some things are amazing about the watch. Namely:
1. Finally no longer missing notifications while my phone is in my pocket or charging in another room. This ALONE is worth the price of admission to me. I would bet it'd be worth it to anyone else who relies on their phone for their business.
2. Look and feel is gorgeous. It can make you look sharp. Unlike other smart watches, this is one I'd have no shame wearing to a black tie event.
3. Siri is amazing on the watch. They need it's level of accuracy everywhere. I can't get over how well it works in this device. Bravo!
Conclusion
While a promising product, the Apple watch in its current form leaves a lot to be desired. My watch will most likely be going back in a week or so within the return period.
I'll consider rebuying in the fall/winter once watch OS 2 comes out and some killer 3rd party apps make their way.... Especially when refurbs become available at lower prices. This is because most of the issues or shortcomings are software.
Or I might just wait until Watch 2 next spring, which hopefully addresses some of the hardware issues.
If there's anything I haven't considered or killer apps or use cases you feel I should consider or try, please let me know!
I hope this review is helpful for those on the fence.
